Pa. lawmakers put the mean in ‘mean girls’ with transgender student-athlete ban
You would think society has progressed to a higher level of understanding and acceptance regarding members of the LGBTQ community. Sadly, we are no better than we were 30 years ago with legislative bans preventing transgender youth from partaking in athletics for their schools. Instead of making schools a safe place for children who need acceptance, these bans only create a negative environment that makes them subjects of censure and ridicule among their peers.
Earlier this week, several state lawmakers proposed legislation banning transgender youth from participating in school athletics for the gender with which they identify.
Five Republican representatives – Barbara Gleim, Martina A. White, Dawn W. Keefer, Valerie S. Gaydos and Stephanie Borowicz – believe they’re leveling the playing field by preventing transgender girls from competing in women’s sports with their proposed bill. This debate is taking place on a national level across 35 states with a handful already passing comparable bills. Thankfully, Gov. Tom Wolf has stated he will veto this legislation should it cross his desk.
These so-called adults are specifically targeting transgender girls with this ridiculous proposal claiming these young women have a competitive edge in sports. Don’t they realize young transgender females face enough difficulty growing up without these lawmakers taking up the role of mean girls in isolating and ostracizing by keeping them from activities that would allow them to maybe find a where they can be comfortable? In addition, this also perpetrates negative mentalities regarding transgender people to further prevent acceptance of them in society.
What is this … the 20th century?
You would think society has progressed to a higher level of understanding and acceptance regarding members of the LGBTQ community. Sadly, we are no better than we were 30 years ago with legislative bans preventing transgender youth from partaking in athletics for their schools. Instead of making schools a safe place for children who need acceptance, these bans only create a
negative environment that makes them subjects of censure and ridicule among their peers.
Sure, this group of mean girls disguised as concerned legislators can point out the physical advantages a transgender girl may have over her peers but it doesn’t make it right. Preventing people from living their best lives goes against the very essence of the Declaration of Independence which is the foundation of fundamental rights in this country.
Why don’t they just propose separate schools and activities for transgender people so everyone can learn and participate on an equal level?
Oh, right. We tried that by separating Blacks and whites with segregation. That worked out well (note my sarcastic tone).
Let’s face, growing up can really suck especially if you are gay,
lesbian, bisexual or queer. Kids at any age can be extremely cruel and cause a lifetime of damage. Doesn’t society as a whole owe LGBTQ youth a chance without adding outside rules and regulations that singles them out for simply being themselves?
Instead of legislation creating restrictions maybe it would be beneficial to make efforts to make schools a safer place for everyone regardless of their gender identity. Wouldn’t the time and effort these legislators put in towards this proposed athletic ban be better spent trying to handle bullying that already takes place in schools?
It is beyond my comprehension that people still continue to look for ways to hold others down. What does it accomplish in the long run?
Leveling
the
playing
field
means everyone has an opportunity to participate. After all, don’t girls have a chance in taking part in football or wrestling with boys when there is no female equivalent offered?
Didn’t women spend years fighting for equality not just in the work place but on the athletic fields too?
The point of the feminist movement was for women to be accepted as equals and be given choices. Yet it is women who are proposing to restrict the choices of transgender girls regarding playing sports in Pennsylvania.